From Atelier

KAORU Mimosa × International Women's Day

March is Mimosa Day, when the world celebrates women, and is International Women's Day Month.
Introducing the KAORU Mimosa collection, which is popular as a talisman for women's happiness!

[What is International Women's Day]

International Women's Day, March 8th, is a day when people all over the world think about women and their own sexuality and gender. Ever since the United Nations General Assembly in 1977 adopted a resolution to celebrate women's rights and international peace, events have been held around the world every year.For example, in Italy, women are presented with yellow mimosa flowers, a symbol of spring. It is affectionately known as "Mimosa Day." In the United States, Women's History Month is designated as ``Women's History Month'' to reflect on the contributions of women in history, with exhibitions held at the Congress and National Library, and in some countries it is even a national holiday.

In Japan, the international cooperation NGO JOICFP, which collaborates with us through the KAORU Donation Project, is holding the ``International Women's Day White Ribbon Online Festival,'' which is also gaining popularity in Japan.

[Think about your own health and the health of women around the world with JOICFP×KAORU “Charity Mimosa” that colors Mimosa Day]

Our collaboration partner JOICFP promotes sexual and reproductive health and rights, empowering and empowering women around the world to live healthier, more authentic lives wherever they are. KAORU supports JOICFP because we deeply sympathize with JOICFP's philosophy and activities: ``Every woman should be able to choose their own life.''

This time, we interviewed Michiyo Ono, the founder of I LADY. and White Ribbon Run, who has launched many advanced projects at JOICFP, about the current situation surrounding women around the world.

[Women living in developing countries strongly affected by the coronavirus pandemic]

Around the world, approximately 800 women die every two minutes, or approximately 800 women, due to pregnancy, childbirth, and abortion. Most of these are lives that could have been saved.
Now that the world is at the mercy of measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, sexual assaults, unsafe abortions due to unwanted pregnancies, and domestic violence are on the rise, putting the lives and health of more women at risk than in normal times. Due to medical resources being concentrated on countering coronavirus infections, there are some areas where women are not receiving the services and support they need. Meanwhile, 70% of the medical workers working to protect people's lives on the front lines of coronavirus infection control are women. At a time when many women's lives are at risk, we cannot stop working to protect women's health and provide sexual and reproductive health services.

[Environment surrounding women that is different from Japan]

JOICFP has been engaged in activities to protect the lives of pregnant women for many years. For example, in Japan, it is rare for people to think that they might die from pregnancy, childbirth, abortion, or an infectious disease during that process, but in developing countries, death is literally the same thing. In Japan, you receive medical examinations at hospitals and clinics with a well-organized sanitary environment, right? In developing countries, it takes several hours to walk to a hospital, and there is no clean water, disinfectant, or medicine inside the hospital, and there are no medical personnel to begin with. As a result, many women do not have the desire to go to a hospital with inadequate health services and do not receive a medical checkup even before giving birth. And when it comes to giving birth, most of them are at home. She was laid out on a dirt floor and gave birth without the presence of a doctor or midwife. The umbilical cord is cut off using unsterilized scissors available at the scene. In Japan, a high-risk birth that would have required a caesarean section is impossible because the risks cannot be detected in advance, and there are no doctors who can perform the surgery, and even if there were, there were no anesthetics. Please try to imagine.
Women's lives and health are being threatened in an environment that is hard for us in Japan to imagine. In addition, there are many girls who get married and give birth repeatedly in their early teens, when their bodies are not yet ready for pregnancy and childbirth. JOICFP not only provides support with facilities and supplies, but also provides safe health services that will enable local people to protect the lives and health of local women on their own, even after our support is no longer available. We are also putting effort into developing human resources and creating an environment that will enable us to do this.

[What kind of world does Mr. Ono aim for? ]

``At times like these, I believe that someone's feelings for someone can support those in a difficult situation, and that feeling can also be a source of strength for oneself.'' JOICFP is carrying out support activities around the world and in Japan, but in the future, I would like to aim for a world where JOICFP is no longer needed.

KAORU has two types of charity items available as a "charity action you can take now!" We are now releasing the [Mimosa Bracelet], which is an even more attractive evolution of the previous bracelet [sold out immediately], and the new [Mimosa Ear Cuff].
The KAORU Mimosa, which boasts an unwavering popularity due to its sophisticated design, is decorated with pearls, a gemstone that has been cherished around the world since ancient times as a talisman for women's happiness. The lovely mimosa pearls give off a casual and elegant feel, and can be enjoyed as a talisman that enhances your femininity at any time.
When you purchase this mimosa bracelet and ear cuff, 3,000 yen per item will be donated to JOICFP.
With the desire for women to shine even more, KAORU has continued to create jewelry that brings out the charm and cheers up the wearer. We hope that this project will lead to bright smiles for women around the world.